As the first week of Mi Casita Montessori draws to a close I wanted to share a few of my observations. Though I tried to stay out of the way as much as possible in order to allow the students to settle in to their environment, I had the opportunity to listen and observe a few, precious moments.

On Monday morning the students entered the school a bit nervously, to be expected on the first day. After putting their snacks and backpacks on the table, the children were greeted warmly by Shirley and Jackie. Several hours later I peeked in through the window and observed Anthony, carefully carrying his chair to another table to work. I have to say that the sight brought tears to my eyes.

Over the course of the week I watched as the students began to form friendships with one another, playing together in the garden and reminding one another of the rules. More and more, from my position in the office, I hear them making each other laugh and calling each other to come play. It is incredible to watch as their confidence in themselves and in each other grows, gradually bonding them together in the type of community that every Montessori teachers dreams of.

After dreaming of this classroom for years, this is the most beautiful sound one could hear.

While the students deserve quite a bit of credit for this week’s success, one cannot fail to mention Shirley’s energy and dedication. Each day presents new challenges, and each day Shirley meets these challenges with a warm smile and a confident approach. When Shirley and I talk about the students, I watch her face light up as she describes each student and the small advances they made that day. From these conversations it is clear Shirley takes joy in each moment, and that this joy is felt by the students who enter her classroom.

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"A great social mission that will ensure the child justice, harmony and love remains to be accomplished. This great task must be the work of education for this is the only way to build a new world and to bring peace."
Dr. María Montessori